Press Releases

Lagos Mass Transit Rail Project Set To Take Off
…Consortium to provide jobs for 4,000 Nigerians - Fashola

Jan 20, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday said that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project, Blue Line, (Okokomaiko to Marina) will engage at least four thousand Nigerians during the construction process.

Governor Fashola made the disclosure at the CCEC Rail Construction Yard at NRC premises, Ebute Metta during an inspection of the level of preparedness by the contractors for the commencement of construction of the light rail project.

The Governor also said he has been receiving indications from Nigerians working in the London underground train wishing to come home and run rail service in their country, adding in both ways it is a winner for Nigeria and for Lagos.

Said he: “Sooner than later, when it is completed it will make public transportation faster, safer and more efficient and from then on it will be an improved and increased quality of life on how people are transported as well as goods and services”.

He expressed the hope that very soon in collaboration with the Federal Government, the state can get permission to also use part of the Railway corridor to start the Red Line that will link Iddo to Agbado to Ijoko in Ogun State.

In his words: “We are ready to go. It is the same contractor. All we are waiting for is the permission from Federal Government now. We have an MOU with them. We just need them to fasten a few things. For us we can address that corridor as well. We are ready to go”.

“It is a 24 month project from construction commencement. We are hoping to commence construction hopefully before the end of the first quarter”, Governor Fashola added.

While underscoring the readiness of the company to kick start the project, Governor Fashola said virtually all the designs have been finished before it was handed over, with all the equipments in place adding that the Chinese company has also started the recruitment of not only the technical staff from China but the local staff that will give support.

On the BRT corridor being proposed for the Murtala Mohammed Way, Governor Fashola said it is almost ready from Iddo to Oyingbo, explaining that once work is concluded there the BRT buses will start running from Mile 12 to Iddo straight.

Governor Fashola promised that the State Government will continue to expand, saying: “when the Lagos-Badagry Express Way is concluded, there would also be a BRT service there. We are on the road”.

Speaking earlier while conducting the Governor round, the Manager of CCEC Rail Construction, Mr Shi Stone said the company has almost concluded the construction design which is at 85 percent completion, adding that the design would be completed by the end of January.

He added that the company is very ready as about 136 different construction equipments are already on ground with another 40 under shipment and promised to furnish the Governor with the list and categories of local staff needed to work with the Chinese company.

Governor Fashola was accompanied on the inspection tour by some members of the State Executive Council and the Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr Dayo Mobereola among other top government officials.